Sunday, September 28, 2008

Rogue Valley Goes to Xterra Nationals

On Saturday several Rogue Valley Runners traveled to Bend, OR to take part in the Xterra Trail Run National Championships. The 21 kilometer trail course was set along the scenic Deschutes River that meanders through town. With a $5,000 prize purse available, some of the country's swiftest trail runners came to race. When the dust cleared, 225 runners would complete the race. Max King (Bend, OR) would take the lead at mile three and win the men's race in 1:08:01, that's roughly five minute mile pace. Eugene's Susannah Beck would win the women's race by see-sawing back and forth several times with Bend's Kami Semick. Beck would outdistance Semick by 19 seconds at the finish line, winning in 1:23:07.

(l to r) Jenn Shelton, Ixel Sanchez and Susannah Beck at Xterra Bend.

Rogue Valley had some stellar performances as well. Leading the pack was Ashland's Brian McGuire in 1:22:23. Brian missed winning the 50-54 age group by 30 seconds. Central Point's Joe Griffin finished in 1:29:44; 44th overall and fifth in the 44-49 age division. Ashland's Jenn Shelton blazed the course in 1:30:04, winning the 25-29 age division and finishing sixth lady overall. Winning the 20-24 age group was Rogue Valley Runners store employee Ixel Sanchez in 1:33:31. Jeff Pons and Melissa Glatte, both from Central Point, also represented the Rogue Valley by finishing in 1:46:19 and 1:46:44 respectively. Medford's Jodi and Wayne Marthaller finished in 1:53:42 and 2:23:31 respectively. Running across the line together were Jennifer Patterson (Medford) and Pennie Pons (Central Point) in 2:12:41. Nancy and Mark Fadling of Medford ran in 2:24:47 and 2:28:38 respectively.

Full results can be found here. Some photos can be found here. Congratulations to all runners!